LeBron James Reacts to Losing Lakers vs Clippers Game

The LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers faced off in an incredibly important regular season game that likely determined who would be in the play-in tournament. While it's not an end-all, be-all situation, it's going to be a very uphill battle for the losing Lakers team.

Both teams knew that they needed to win this game last night. LeBron James and Anthony Davis played in a rare back-to-back, and Kawhi Leonard played the entire second half. Unfortunately for the Lakers, they had a massive rest disadvantage against the Clippers. The Lakers were playing the second night of a back-to-back and were also playing their 4th game in 6 nights. The LA Clippers had three days of rest, jumped the gun early, and never let the Lakers really get back into the game.

Even though LeBron James really wanted to win the game, he also knew it would be an incredibly difficult game because of the rest disadvantage.

“It was tough," LeBron said. "One of the tougher games we had this year. Just coming off a road trip, and even though this is a road game, getting back late last night after an overtime game. It was a tough game for us obviously starting the first half. Playing Lakers basketball, we had some good spurts. It was one of those schedule conflicts. Definitely got the best of us tonight."

The LA Clippers finished the night as the fifth seed and the Los Angeles Lakers finished the night as the seventh seed. The Lakers will have a very uphill battle moving forward needing a little luck from other teams losing, while the Clippers will control their own destiny. The Clippers aren't out of the clear yet, as the New Orleans Pelicans just won a massive game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Up next for the Clippers, a set of back-to-back morning games against the Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns.